Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget 2026-27, outlined a major push to transform women’s livelihoods from credit-based support to full enterprise ownership, building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi programme.
The government will launch She MARTS, professionally managed, community-owned retail outlets run by women-led self-help groups. These cluster-level outlets aim to provide rural products a premium platform, strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship, expand market access for women-made goods, and create sustainable livelihoods within communities.
Sitharaman emphasized that this initiative marks a shift from simply providing small loans or basic survival support to enabling women to become decision-makers and stakeholders in the retail supply chain. The next phase focuses on scaling up women-led businesses into larger, more professional retail networks.
To make this possible, the budget introduces dedicated infrastructure and branding under the SHE initiative, ensuring these outlets are competitive with mainstream brands. Recognizing that conventional bank loans may not be sufficient, the Finance Minister announced that entrepreneurs will receive support through enhanced and innovative financing instruments, including equity-like capital and other tools beyond traditional interest-rate subsidies.
These measures aim not only to empower women economically but also to strengthen rural enterprises, expand access to markets, and contribute to inclusive growth, benefiting women, youth, and communities across India.
